I have noticed when first coming on in the morning that there comes a point when a good stretch kicks things into overdrive. I know there are receptors where the muscle attaches to bone that are stimulated and I assumed that was what I was experiencing. But the article below indicates that physical tensioning systems within the neuron itself are necessary for functioning, even within the brain itself. It makes me wonder, too, about the phenomenon of "wasting" when one is confined to bed.

"ScienceDaily (Aug. 24, 2009) — Every time a neuron sends a signal – to move a muscle or form a memory, for example – tiny membrane-bound compartments, called vesicles, dump neurotransmitters into the synapse between the cells. Researchers report that this process, which is fundamental to the workings of the nervous system, relies on a simple mechanical reality: Tension in the axon of the presynaptic neuron is required.

Without this tension, the researchers found, the vesicles that must haul their chemical cargo to the synapse for neuronal signaling would instead disperse.

The new findings appear this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences."

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0720190556.htm

Hi Rick,
You are right, After I have taken my first meds, I wait around half an hour, and can usually kickstart my "on" by doing what I call "an overall stretch!! I stand opposite a door frame, and stretch my arms as high as they will go, and stand on tip toes. If I overbalance I grab the doorframe, but it works most times.
Interesting it is now being researched, and there is a feasible explanation.
Ron

Hey Guys...I found sretching about 6 years ago...My mom was dying with cancer when I had my first taste of waking stiff and got into a routene of a series of stetching exercizes to get things moving again. Now my body goes into them automatically while I am still waking up. I have since that time gone into massage therapy/ school/ national boards, etc and am liscensed here. I can exercize every part of me & basically massage even places on my back that get tight & sore with my bed or with the floor by changing arm/leg/body possition...it's great and I am normally pain free and my posture is fairly straight...I have no trouble putting my head back against a doorframe (which 6 years ago was a full 6 inches or more out of reach) I do neck strengthing exercizes before sleep & upon waking. I've had various neck injuries & had a definite "boble head"...not anymore. The body iss amazing. I can even stand on one foot now..All systems GO. (except for constipation) Do not give up you -all , the muscles can be strengthened &&& retrained, but it has to be a conscious effort. I had a right foot turn in, and only have trouble with it when I"m too tired to make it behave. YOU CAN DO IT! Aunt Bean